2014 IS-F convertible spotted at Nürburgring?

Apparently a 2014 ISF convertible test mule has been seen testing in Europe. This only comes EXACTLY three months after the test mule IS sedan on April 16. It looks like the ISC might debut 3 months after the sedan does, rather than a year. Maybe late 2013.

It appears as though Lexus’ long-rumored IS F Convertible will finally come to fruition. First rumored over three years ago, our spy photographers have just sent us the first-ever pictures of Lexus’ upcoming hot rod drop top.

Although largely based on the softly-sprung IS C, the IS F Convertible will receive plenty of go-fast parts from the IS F Sedan in order to ensure the car is up to the task of rivaling the BMW M3 convertible. As clear evidence of those sporting pretensions, this particular IS F was caught just before shakedown testing on Germany’s Nürburgring.

In comparison to the IS C, the IS F will receive a unique front bumper with extra air inlets. The rear bumper design isn’t quite production-spec at this point, but the IS F sedan’s quad-tailpipe setup is clearly visible. It remains unknown if this prototype’s outrageous rear wing will make production.

Like the IS F Sedan, the IS F Convertible will receive its power from Lexus’ 416 horsepower 5.0L V8. An eight-speed automatic transmission will send power to the convertible’s rear wheels.

No word on when the Lexus IS F Convertible will make production, but our money is on a 2013 market launch.

NURBURG, Germany — The long-rumored Lexus IS F convertible has finally been spotted testing at Germany's famed Nürburgring, but it's what's under the car that is even more exciting.

Before the camoflauged 416-horsepower V8 convertible went for laps around the circuit, engineers put the IS on a lift and forgot to close the garage bay door, giving us our first look at the next-generation 2014 Lexus IS hiding beneath the convertible skin.

The key giveaway is the clearly-visible rear suspension that is all-new. Aluminum lower control arms replace the steel arms used on the current IS F, a nod to the fact that at 3,812 pounds, the current IS F sedan isn't exactly a lightweight. Separate dampers and springs replace the coil-over configuration in the existing IS. In the above photo, the lower spring perch can be seen as the bowed-out section of the lower control arm just slightly inboard of the shock. Furthermore, a new rear toe adjuster or rear-steer ball joint is evident on this mule, something that doesn't exist on the current IS F. See our suspension walkaround of the 2011 Lexus IS F or the above photo of the 2011 model for comparison.

Taking a closer look at the geometry and setup at play here, this next-generation IS's rear suspension is an adaptation of that found under the 2013 Lexus GS. Accordingly, the 2014 IS could employ adjustable damping as well as active rear steering — features that are currently optional on the larger GS sedan.

Just the Facts:
2014 Lexus IS F convertible is caught testing on the Nürburgring.
GS-derived rear suspension is capable of offering rear steering.
Aluminum lower control arms replace stamped steel currently in use.

NURBURG, Germany — The long-rumored Lexus IS F convertible has finally been spotted testing at Germany's famed Nürburgring, but it's what's under the car that is even more exciting.

Before the camoflauged 416-horsepower V8 convertible went for laps around the circuit, engineers put the IS on a lift and forgot to close the garage bay door, giving us our first look at the next-generation 2014 Lexus IS hiding beneath the convertible skin.

The key giveaway is the clearly-visible rear suspension that is all-new. Aluminum lower control arms replace the steel arms used on the current IS F, a nod to the fact that at 3,812 pounds, the current IS F sedan isn't exactly a lightweight. Separate dampers and springs replace the coil-over configuration in the existing IS. In the above photo, the lower spring perch can be seen as the bowed-out section of the lower control arm just slightly inboard of the shock. Furthermore, a new rear toe adjuster or rear-steer ball joint is evident on this mule, something that doesn't exist on the current IS F. See our suspension walkaround of the 2011 Lexus IS F or the above photo of the 2011 model for comparison.

Taking a closer look at the geometry and setup at play here, this next-generation IS's rear suspension is an adaptation of that found under the 2013 Lexus GS. Accordingly, the 2014 IS could employ adjustable damping as well as active rear steering — features that are currently optional on the larger GS sedan.

Inside Line says: The suspension gives it away. Expect the 2014 Lexus IS to break cover in the next 12 months.

Japanese M3-fighter is being readied in open-top form. Lexus did one heck of a job turning the IS sedan into the IS F performance machine. But the four-door isn't the only version of the IS. There's also a two-door hard-top convertible, and as these spy shots reveal, the premium brand from Toyota is planning to F it all up, too.Spied undergoing testing at the Nurburgring, this IS F cabrio is identifiable by its new front bumper, wider wheel arches packing larger stock and a massive rear wing (possibly used for testing purposes only). Also, by the very fact that it's at the Nurburgring altogether.

The IS F sedan features a 5.0-liter V8 with direct injection to deliver 416 horsepower to the rear wheels for a 4.6-second sprint to 62. Expect the convertible to mimic these numbers, but with two fewer doors and one big folding roof. That is, assuming Lexus doesn't follow Mercedes' lead by fixing the roof like AMG did with the SL65 Black Series.

Just the Facts:
2014 Lexus IS F convertible is caught testing on the Nürburgring.
GS-derived rear suspension is capable of offering rear steering.
Aluminum lower control arms replace stamped steel currently in use.

NURBURG, Germany — The long-rumored Lexus IS F convertible has finally been spotted testing at Germany's famed Nürburgring, but it's what's under the car that is even more exciting.

Before the camoflauged 416-horsepower V8 convertible went for laps around the circuit, engineers put the IS on a lift and forgot to close the garage bay door, giving us our first look at the next-generation 2014 Lexus IS hiding beneath the convertible skin.

The key giveaway is the clearly-visible rear suspension that is all-new. Aluminum lower control arms replace the steel arms used on the current IS F, a nod to the fact that at 3,812 pounds, the current IS F sedan isn't exactly a lightweight. Separate dampers and springs replace the coil-over configuration in the existing IS. In the above photo, the lower spring perch can be seen as the bowed-out section of the lower control arm just slightly inboard of the shock. Furthermore, a new rear toe adjuster or rear-steer ball joint is evident on this mule, something that doesn't exist on the current IS F. See our suspension walkaround of the 2011 Lexus IS F or the above photo of the 2011 model for comparison.

Taking a closer look at the geometry and setup at play here, this next-generation IS's rear suspension is an adaptation of that found under the 2013 Lexus GS. Accordingly, the 2014 IS could employ adjustable damping as well as active rear steering — features that are currently optional on the larger GS sedan.

Inside Line says: The suspension gives it away. Expect the 2014 Lexus IS to break cover in the next 12 months.

Lexus has never confirmed plans to build such a car, but that now seems irrelevant as our photographers have snapped these spy photos of what clearly appears to be an IS-F Convertible.

Notably obvious on the test mule, caught lapping the Nurburgring, is an aggressive front bumper, quad exhaust pipes and some big fender flares. Powering the convertible is expected to be the very same engine found in the sedan with 416 hp generated from a 5.0-liter V8.

A new addition is a large rear spoiler, which could be a part of the final package, or just a test piece as Lexus sorts out final settings for its newest performance car.

With Lexus believed to be planning an all-new third generation IS model for 2014, expect the IS-F Convertible to arrive soon.

The rear spoiler seems very out of place. Ok, its ugly and it sucks. Hope it doesn't make production. A nice power integrated spoiler like on LFA, SLS or older 911 would be much nicer. Also a carbon fiber roof would really set it off and save weight.